Actuating means for a reciprocable member



June 28, 1960 s rr 2,942,489

ACTUATING MEANS FOR A RECIPROCABLE MEMBER Filed Feb. 10, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 2 I i I Z ,1 2 a 83 4 82 z 84 5g; iiwfl E 7 38 i q,ll'll'll'll-f 78 la; v 37 I00 41 ,43. Sm th ,muwm

flit-arrays ACIUATING MEANS FOR A RECIPROCABLE MEMBER Lloyd B. Smith,824 N. 31st St., Birmingham, Ala. Filed Feb. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 714,369

8 Claims. (Cl. 74-3365) This invention relates to actuating means for areciprocable member, such as mechanism for actuating the driving elementof a self propelled reciprocable member.

An object of my invention is to provide mechanism for actuating areciprocable member which shall include a prime mover and an energyaccumulator between the prime mover and the reciprocable member, thusproviding apparatus which is adapted for operation by a relatively smallprime mover.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the characterdesignated which shall embody clutch members, together with controlmeans for selectively energizing and de-energizing the clutch memberswhereby the reciprocable member is actuated and then stopped when thereciprocable member is moved a predetermined distance in eitherdirection.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatusof the characterdesignated in which a fluid clutch unit is interposed between the primemover andthe energy accumulator.

A further object of 'my invention is to provide apparatus of thecharacter designated which shall embody a low speed actuated memberwhich is operatively connected to the driving element of thereciprocable member whereby movement of the reciprocable member isstopped when the rotation of the driving element drops below apredetermined speed.

A still further object of my invention is to provide apparatus of thecharacter designated which shall be simple of construction, economicalof manufacture and one which shall be particularly adapted for use onrefuse vehicles for compressing garbage and the like by a compressorplaten 7 Apparatus embodying features of my invention is'illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:I

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a refuse vehicle partlybroken away and showing my improved mechanism associated therewith forreciprocating a compressor plate;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken generally along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view, partly broken away and in section,showing my apparatus for actuating the drivingelement of a selfpropelled reciprocable member;

Fig. 4 is a fragmental view taken generally along the line 4--4 of Fig.3, showing a belt and pulley arrangement for imparting rotary motion toa shaft by one clutch unit which is reverse to the direction of rotatioimparted by the other clutch unit; and T Fig. '5 is a schematic wiringdiagram showing an electrical circuit which may be employed with myimproved apparatus. Fig. 6 illustrates a speed responsive switchsuitable use with my device. I 7 g 7 Referring now to the drawings for abetter understanding of .my invention, I show a refuse body 10 adaptedto be mounted on a vehicle 11. Preferably, the refuse for" States Patentprovided adjacent the periphery of the compressor plate body 10 is inthe form of an elongated cylindrical member 12 which is held in place onthe framework of the vehicle 11 by suitable saddle members 13. Thecylindrical side walls for the member 12 are formed of relatively thinsheet metal and the forward end thereof is closed by a front wall 14.The construction of the body 10 is substantially identical to thatdescribed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 676,103filed August 5, 1957, now Patent No. 2,902,180, and entitled RefuseVehicle. Hingedly connected to the rear end of the cylindrical member 12by means of a hinge 16 is a closure member 17 which is held in closedposition by suitable latch means 18. I

An access opening 19 is provided adjacent the forward end of the body 10for receiving refuse, such as garbage or the like. The access opening 19is closed by a suitable arcuate closure member 21 which fits slidablybetween a pair of arcuate angle brackets 22, as shown in Fig. 1, wherebythe closure member 21 is adapted to slide to and from closed position.

Outwardly and downwardly opening slots 23 are provided adjacent thelower end of the closure member 17 for receiving rearwardly projectingbrackets 24 which are secured to the inner surface of the cylindricalmember 12. The brackets 24 project outwardly of the closure member 17and are provided with suitable laterally opening slots therein forreceiving the lower end of the latch member 18 whereby the closuremember 17 is held in closed position by the latch 18.

Secured to the brackets 24 are sprocket chains 26 and i 27. The forwardend of the sprocket chains 26 and 27 are secured to suitable laterallyspaced brackets 28 mounted on the front wall14 of the refuse body 10, as

within the space defined between the compressor plate' and the closuremember 17. The periphery of the compressor plate 33 correspondsgenerally to the internal contour of the cylindrical member 12 wherebythere is a sliding'fit between the compressor plate and the internalsurface of the cylindrical member. Suitable openings are 33 for passingthe sprocket chains 26, 27 and 31.

The construction and operation of the apparatus -de-' scribed above issubstantially the same as that described in my aforementioned co-pendingapplication. The construction and operation of my improved mechanism foractuating the driving element of the compressor plate will now bedescribed.

Mounted on the forward side of the compressor plate 33 are forwardlyextending bearing brackets 34 for rotat-- ably supporting a transverseshaft 36. Mounted adjacent opposite ends of the shaft 36 are sprockets37 and 38 for engaging the sprocket chains 26 and 27, respectively.

Mounted on the compressor plate 33 above the sprocket 37 are forwardlyextending bearing brackets 39 for rotatably supporting a shaft 41 for asprocket 42, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the sprocket chain 26, securedat its forward end to the bracket 28 extends'rearwardly' and passes overthe sprocket 42 and then downwardly beneath the sprocket 37 and in turnis connected to the bracket 1 .24. Mounted on the compressor plate 33above the;

sprocket 38 are forwardly extending bearing brackets 43 portion of thefront wall 14, as

for rotatably supporting a shaft 44 for a sprocket 46. The sprocketchain 27 secured at its forward end to a bracket 28 extends rearwardlyover the sprocket 46 then downwardly beneath the sprocket 38 and in turnis connected to the bracket 24, as shown.

Mounted on the shaft 36 intermediate the sprockets 37 and 38 is asprocket 47 and mounted on the compressor plate 33 above the sprocket 47are forwardly extending brackets 48 for rotatably supporting transverseshafts 49 and 51, the shaft 49 being nearer the compressor plate 33.Mounted on the shafts 49 and 51 are sprockets 52 and 53, respectively.The sprocket chain 31 connected at its forward end to a. bracket 32extends rearwardly over the sprocket 53 then downwardly under thesprocket 47 and thence upwardly over sprocket 49 to the bracket 29.

Mounted on the shaft 36 is a sprocket 54 which is operatively connectedto a sprocket 56 of a speed reducer 57 by means of a chain 58. The speedreducer 57 is driven by a shaft 59 mounted in suitable bearings 61.

Mounted on the compressor plate 33, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is aprime mover 62, which may be in the form of an internal combustionengine. The output shaft of the prime mover 62 is connected through asuitable clutch, such as a fluid clutch 63, to a pulley 64. A belt 66connects the pulley 64 to a pulley 67 which in turn is connected to anenergy accumulator 68 which may be in the form of a flywheel.Preferably, the flywheel and the pulley 67 are formed integrally, asshown in Fig. 3. The pulley 67 and flywheel 68 are rotatably mounted ona stationary shaft 69 by suitable bearings 71.

Mounted at opposite sides of the flywheel 68 and adapted for rotationtherewith are elements 72 and 73 of electric clutches 74 and 76,respectively. The elements 72 and 73 of the electric clutches each carrythe magnet assembly, such as the field coil and the like. The otherelements of the electric clutches 74 and 7.6 are indicated at 77 and 78and are secured non-rotatably to pulley assemblies 79 and 81,respectively. Electric current is supplied to the elements 72 and 73 bysuitable brush elements 82 and 83 which are carried by brush holders 84and 86, respectively. As shown in Fig. 3, a suitable bearing material 87is provided between the stationary shaft 69 and the pulley assemblies 79and 81.

Preferably, the pulley assembly 79 is in the form of a double pulleyarrangement and is employed to drive the speed reducer 57 in a directionto move the compressor plate 33 toward the rear of the body whereby therefuse is compressed. The pulley assembly 79 is connected to the shaftby suitable pulleys 88. The pulley assembly 81 which is connected to theelectric clutch 76 is connected to the shaft 59 in such a manner thatthe shaft 59 rotates in a direction opposite the direction of rotationimparted by the electric clutch 74. This is accomplished by connectingthe pulley 81 to the shaft 59 by a belt 89 which passes around threepulleys, 91, 92 and 93. See Fig. 4. The pulley 92 is mountednonrotatably on the shaft 59 while the pulleys 91 and 93 are mounted onsuitable stub shafts 94 and 96, respectively. That is, the belt 89passes around the pulley 91 and then passes around the pulley 92 wherebythe surface of the belt which engages the pulley 92 is opposite thatwhich is engaged by the pulley 81. The belt 89 passes from the pulley 92around the pulley 93, as shown. The electric clutch 74 thus serves torotate the speed reducer 57 in a direction to move the compressor plate33 toward packing position while the electric clutch 76 serves to rotatethe speed reducer 57 in a direction to move the compressor plate 33toward the front of the body 10.

Mounted on the shaft 59, which is the input shaft for the speed reducer57, is a sprocket 97 which is connected to a driven sprocket 98 by achain 99. The sprocket 98 is mounted on a shaft 100 of a control unitindicated generally at 101. The shaft 100 is threaded externally 4. asat 102 for receiving an internally threaded actuating member 103. Themember 103 is held against rotation by a suitable guide member 104whereby it moves axially of the shaft 100 upon rotation of the shaft.Mounted at one side of the internally threaded member 103 is a limitswitch 106 which is in position to be actuated by the member 103 whenthe compressor plate 33 reaches a predetermined position relative to therear closure member 17. A second limit switch 107 is provided at theopposite side of the internally threaded actuating member 103 inposition to be actuated by the member 103 when the compressor plate 33approaches a predetermined position relative to the forward end of thebody 10. Also mounted adjacent the control shaft is a low speed switch108 which is adapted to be actuated when the rotation of the shaft 100approaches a predetermined low speed.

Such low speed switches are well known and may be of various types. Oneconventional type of low speed switch is the mechanical governor typeshown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The contact points of the switch 108are shown at and 131. The contact point 130 is carried by a pivotedmember 132 which is actuated by one end of a movable member 132 having aspring abutment 133 at the other end thereof. Positioned between thespring abutment 133 and the housing of the switch 108 is a compressionspring 134 which urges the movable member 132 in a direction to breakthe contact between contact points 130 and 131. A spring 134 urges thecontact 130 away from contact 131, as shown. Mounted for movement inaxial alignment with the movable member 132 is an actuating member 135having outwardly projecting detents 136 which are in position to beengaged by the inner ends of movable governor members 137. The governormembers 137 are pivotally mounted on pins 138 carried by support members139. The governor members 137 carry the usual weights 140 which moveoutwardly upon rotation thereof above a predetermined speed. The supportmembers 139 are carried by a rotary member 141 which is operativelyconnected to shaft 100 and telescopes within an axially extendingopening 142 provided in the movable member 135 whereby the movablemember 135 is adapted for free axial movement toward and away from themovable member 132. Pivotally connected to a bearing sleeve member whichsurrounds the rotary member 141 is one end of a lever arm 143 which inturn is pivotally connected intermediate its ends by a pin 144 to astationary support 146. The lever arm 143 is employed to move the rotarymember 141 axially into engagement with the member 135 to thus shift themember 132 in a direction to move the contact 130 toward the contact131, whereby the switch 108 is closed until the governor members 137rotate at a sufficient speed to hold the contact 130 in engagement withcontact 131. That is, upon rotation of the governor unit above apredetermined speed, the inner ends of the governor members 137 engagethe detents 136 and thus move the members 135, 132 and 132 in adirection to move contact point 130 into engagement with contact 131.The lever arm 143 is then released, whereby a suitable spring 147 urgesthe rotary member 141 in an axial direction away from the movable member132.

As shown in Fig. 5, the limit switch 106 and the low speed switch 108are connected in series and supply current through a lead 105 to one ofthe brushes 82 of the electric clutch 74 which drives the compressorplate 33 toward packing'position. The switch 106 is connected to asolenoid 109 by a lead 111. The other terminal of the solenoid 109 isconnected to a push button control 112 by a lead 113. Also connected tothe lead 113 is a lead 114 which in turn is connected to a contact point116. The other terminal of the push button 112 is connected to a movablecontact point 117 by a lead 118. The contact point 117 is urged awayfrom the contact estates point 116 and into contact with a contact point119 by a spring member 121. The contact point 119 is connected to limitswitch 107 by a lead 122. The other side of the switch 107 is connectedto one of the brushes 83 of the electric clutch 76 by a lead 123.Current is supplied to the circuit by leads 124 and 126, the lead 124being connected to the lead 118 and the lead 126 being connected to theother brushes of the electric clutches 74 and 76.

Electric power may be supplied to the apparatus by a suitable electricalconduit 127 which is wound about a reel 128 mounted in suitable brackets129 on the for.- ward wall 14 of the body 10, as shown in Fig. 1. Also,the push button 112 may be positioned in any desired location on thevehicle and the leads for the push button 112 are carried by the conduit127.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved mechanismfor actuating the driving element of a self propelled reciprocablemember, such as the compressor plate of a refuse body, will be readilyunderstood. With the compressor plate 33 at the forward end of the body10, the refuse, such as garbage and the like, is introduced through theopening 19. In this position the switches 106 and 108 are closed, theswitch 108 being closed by the lever am 143. The push button 112 is thenactuated to complete the circuit to the electric clutch 74 through lead113, solenoid 109, lead 111, switches 106 and 108, and lead 105. Uponenergizing the solenoid 109, the contact point 117 is drawn into contactwith the contact point 116 to provide a holding circuit to the solenoid109. That is, the current then passes to the solenoid 109 through leads118 and 114 rather than passing through the push button 112. Uponrotation of the governor members at a rate to hold the contact 130 inengagement with contact v131, the lever arm 143 is released.

.Upon energizing the electric clutch 74, the shaft 59 is drivenin adirection to cause the compressor plate 33 to move toward the rear ofthe body to compress the refuse. When the packing plate 33 reaches apredetermined position relative to the closure member 17, the limitswitch 106 is opened, thus breaking the circuit to the electric clutch74. Upon opening the switch 106, the spring member 121 urges the contactpoint 117 into contact with contact point 119 whereby the current iscompleted to the electric clutch 76 through lead 122, switch 107 andlead 123. The electric clutch 76 then rotates the shaft 59 in thereverse direction, due to the arrangement of the pulley 91, 92 and 93,whereby the compressor plate 33 is returned to the forward end of thebody 10. Upon approaching the forward end of the body 10, the actuatingmember 103 engages and actuates the limit switch 107 thus breaking thecircuit to the electric clutch 76, thereby resetting the system. Refuseis then introduced into the opening 19 and the cycle of operation isrepeated.

When the load in the body 10 between the compressor plate 33 and theclosure member 17 reaches the point that it prevents .the compressorplate from reaching the predetermined position relative to the closuremember 17, the excess load causes the electric clutch 74 to slip wherebythe shaft 100 rotates at a slower speed. Upon reaching the predeterminedlow speed, the low speed switch 108 is opened, thereby breaking thecircuit to the electric clutch 74. The breaking of the circuit to theelectric clutch 74 by the switch 108 would have the same effect asbreaking the circuit by opening the switch 106. That is, the solenoid109 would be de-energized whereby the spring 121 would move the contactpoint 117 into contact with the contact point 119 to complete thecircuit to the electric clutch 76 which would return the compressorplate 33 to the forward end of the body 10.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have devised animproved mechanism for actuating the driving element of a self propelledreciprocable member.

By providing an energy accumulator between the prime mover and theelectric clutch elements, the prime mover may be in the form of arelatively small internal combustion engine or the like. Also,byproviding the fluid clutch assembly between the prime mover and theenergy accumulator, a lighter load is placed on the motor upon startingthe same and an even distribution of the load is provided at all times.By providing a control assembly for stopping the travel of thereciprocable member when it reaches a predetermined distance in either,direction, or when the, load on the compressor plate exceeds thedesigned packing pressure of the body 10, the apparatus is not damagedduring the operation thereof. Furthermore, by providing the electricclutch units in combination with the control mechanism, the apparatus isfool proof and is adapted for operation byunskilled labor and thecontrol mechanism is greatly reduced in both,

size and cost.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In mechanism for actuating a reciprocable pressing member, a primemover, an energy accumulator operatively connected to said prime mover,a first clutch interposed between said energy accumulator and saidreciprocable pressing member, means operatively connecting said firstclutch in driven relation to said energy accumulator and in drivingrelation to said reciprocable pressing member and adapted when energizedto move said reciprocable pressing memberin one direction, a secondclutch interposed between said energy accumulator and said reciprocablepressing member, means operatively connecteither direction and to stopsaid pressing memberwhen a predetermined pressure is exertedthereagainst.

2. In mechanism for actuating the driving element of a self propelledreciprocable pressing member, a prime mover carried by said reciprocablepressing member, an

energy accumulator operatively connected to said prime mover, a firstclutch interposed betweensaid energy accumulator and said drivingelement, means operatively connecting said first clutch in ,drivenrelation to said energy accumulatorand in driving relation to saidreciprocable pressingmember and, adapted when energized to drive saiddriving element in a direction to move said reciprocable pressing memberin one direction, a second clutch interposed between said energyaccumulator and said driving element, means operatively connecting saidsecond clutch in driven relation to said energy accumulator;

and in driving relation to said reciprocable pressing member and adaptedwhen energized to drive said driving element in a direction to move saidreciprocable pressing member in a direction opposite that imparted bysaid first clutch, and control means operatively connected in drivenrelation to said clutches and operatively connected to the clutches forselectively energizing andde-energizing the clutches to actuate saiddriving element and then stop the reciprocable pressing member uponmovement thereof a predetermined distance in either direction and tostop said pressing member when a predetermined pressure is exertedthereagainst.

3. In mechanism for actuating a reciprocable pressing member, a primemover, an energy accumulator operatively connected to said prime mover,a first clutch interposed between said energy accumulator and saidpressing member, means operatively connecting said first clutch indriven relation to said energy accumulator and in driving relation tosaid pressing member and adapted when energized to move saidreciprocable pressing member in one direction, a second clutchinterposed between said energy accumulator and said pressing member,means operatively connecting said second clutch in driven relation tosaid energy accumulator and in driving relation to said pressing memberand adapted when energized to move. said pressing member in a directionopposite that imparted by said first clutch, control means operativelyconnected to the clutches for selectively energizing and de-energizingsaid clutches to reciprocate said pressing member and then stop saidpressing member when it is moved a predetermined distance in eitherdirection, a rotary member operatively connected in driven relation tosaid clutches, and a low speed clutch actuating member operativelyconnected to said rotary member and at least one of the clutches forde-energizing the clutch when the rotation of said rotary member dropsbelow a predetermined speed.

4. In mechanism for actuating the driving element of a self propelledreciprocable pressing member as defined in claim 2 in which the controlmeans comprises a threaded shaft operatively connected to said clutchesand adapted to be driven in one direction when the first clutch isenergized and to be driven in the opposite direction when the secondclutch is energized, an internally threaded member mounted on saidthreaded shaft, means holding said internally threaded member againstrotation whereby it moves axially of said shaft upon rotation of saidshaft, clutch actuating members mounted at opposite sides of and inposition to be actuated by said internally threaded member when thedriving element moves the reciprocable member a predetermined distancein either direction.

5. In mechanism for actuating the driving element of a self propelledreciprocable pressing member as defined in claim 4 in which a low speedclutch actuating member is operatively connected to the threaded shaftwhereby at least one of the clutches is de-energized when the rotationof the threaded shaft drops below a predetermined speed.

6. In mechanism for actuating the driving element of a self propelledreciprocable pressing member, a prime mover carried by said reciprocablemember, a fly wheel operatively connected to said prime mover, a firstclutch having one element thereof connected to one side of said flywheel and the other element thereof operatively connected in drivingrelation to said driving element and adapted when energized to drivesaid driving element in a direction to move said reciprocable member inone direction, a second clutch having one element thereof connected tothe other side of said fly wheel and the other element thereofoperatively connected in driving relation to said driving element andadapted when energized todrive said driving element in a directiontomove said reciprocable member in a direction opposite that imparted bysaid first clutch, control means operatively connected in drivenrelation to said clutches and operatively connected to the clutches forselectively energizing and deenergizing said clutches whereby saiddriving element is actuated and then stopped when the reciprocablemember has moved a predetermined distance in either direction and a lowspeed clutch actuating member operatively connected to said drivingelement whereby at least one of the clutches is de-energized when therotation of said driving element drops below a predetermined speed.

7. In mechanism for actuating a reciprocable pressing member, a primemover, a stationary shaft, a rotatable shaft, a fly wheel mounted forrotation on said stationary shaft, a first clutch mounted for rotationon said stationary shaft at one side of said fly wheel with one elementthereof connected to said fly wheel and the other element thereofoperatively connected to said rotatable shaft for driving the same inone direction, a second clutch mounted for rotation on said stationaryshaft at the other side of said fly wheel from said first clutch withone element thereof connected to said fly wheel and the other elementthereof operatively connected to said rotatable shaft for driving thesame in a direction opposite that imparted by said first clutch, meansoperatively connected said rotatable shaft in driving relation to saidreciprocable member, control means operatively connected in drivenrelation to said rotatable shaft and operatively connected to saidclutches for selectively energizing and de-energizing the clutcheswhereby said reciprocable member is actuated and then stopped when saidreciprocable member has moved a predetermined distance in eitherdirection and a low speed clutch actuating member operatively connectedto said rotatable shaft whereby at least one of the clutches isde-energized when the rotation thereof drops below a predeterminedspeed.

8. In mechanism for actuating a reciprocable pressing member as definedin claim 7 in which the control means comprises a threaded shaft, meansoperatively connecting said threaded shaft to the rotatable shaftwherebythe threaded shaft rotates in response to rotation of said rotatableshaft, an internally threaded member carried by said threaded shaft,means holding said internally threaded member against rotation wherebyit moves axially of said threaded shaft upon rotation of said threadedshaft, limit switches mounted at opposite sides of and in position to beactuated by said internally threaded member, means connecting one ofsaid limit switches to said first clutch whereby it is de-energized whenthe reciprocable member has moved a predetermined distance in onedirection, means connecting the other of said limit switches to saidsecond clutch whereby it is de-energized when the reciprocable memberhas moved a predetermined distance in the other direction and a lowspeed clutch actuating member operatively connected to said drivingelement whereby at least one of the clutches is de-energized when therotation of said driving element drops below a predetermined speed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS752,589' Riddell Feb. 16, 1904 760,577 Sprong May 24, 1904 776,975Wheaton Dec. 6, 1904 829,958 Fairman Sept. 4 1906 2,815,922 Thomas eta1. Dec. 10, 1957

